VehicleVerdict

2006 Chevrolet Corvette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 441 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 16.3 times the median Corvette year — the 2006 model ranks #4 of 62 Corvette years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (90), body & structure (63), and lighting (63), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

441

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Corvette years?

See all Corvette years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Corvette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9020%
Lighting6314%
Body & Structure6314%
Fuel System5011%
Steering4410%
Transmission337%
Engine286%
Brakes286%
Airbags143%
Other133%
Tires & Wheels61%
Seats31%
Suspension31%
Visibility & Wipers20%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V251000LightingMay 14, 2014 · 103,158 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles manufactured March 29, 2004, through June 22, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) housing can expand and cause the headlamp low beam relay control circuit wire to bend. If the wire is repeatedly bent, it may fracture causing a loss of low beam headlamp illumination.

Consequence

The loss of low beam headlamp illumination will decrease the driver's visibility, as well as the vehicle's conspicuity to other motorists, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a jumper wire to correct this condition, free of charge. The recall began January 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 13146. Note: Model year 2008-2013 Chevrolet Corvettes will be covered under customer satisfaction program number 14203 for the same issue.

10V172000SteeringApril 26, 2010 · 40,028 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2004 AND JANUARY 2006 EQUIPPED WITH A TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN (RPO N37). IN RARE CASES, REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN MAY CAUSE A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION WITHIN THE COLUMN. IF THIS OCCURS, THE MESSAGE, "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" WILL APPEAR IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, AND ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES MAY APPLY, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE CHANGE IN VEHICLE MOVEMENT, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

09V491000Body & StructureDecember 23, 2009 · 22,090 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2007 CORVETTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A REMOVABLE ROOF AND MODEL YEAR 2006 AND 2007 CORVETTE Z06 VEHICLES. THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE. IF THERE IS A PARTIAL SEPARATION, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE ONE OR MORE SYMPTOMS, SUCH AS A SNAPPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS, WIND NOISE, POOR ROOF PANEL FIT, ROOF PANEL MOVEMENT/BOUNCE WHEN A DOOR OR HATCH IS CLOSED, OR A WATER LEAK IN THE HEADLINER.

Consequence

IF THERE IS A COMPLETE SEPARATION, THE ROOF PANEL MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN ROOF PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

06V181000Body & StructureMay 24, 2006 · 30,793 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN 2005-2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTES EQUIPPED WITH PAINTED ROOFS, THE ADHESIVE BETWEEN THE ROOF PANEL AND THE FRAME MAY SEPARATE.

Consequence

IF THERE IS A COMPLETE SEPARATION, THE ROOF PANEL MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE FOR POTENTIAL ROOF PANEL-TO- FRAME SEPARATION AND ADD THE SPECIFIED ADHESIVE FOAM OR REPLACE THE ROOF WITH ONE HAVING ADHESIVE FOAM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

05V455000SteeringOctober 5, 2005 · 123,592 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

FIRST THE ROOF BLEW OFF.THE COMMUNICATION MESSAGE CENTER GIVES MIS INFORMATION.THE CAR HAS ALWAYS MADE A GRINDING SOUND UNDER HOOD AT START UP.PROBLEMSM ACTIVATING EELECTRICAL STABILITY SYSTEM.ALSO AFTER ROOF REPAIR ROOF RATTLES AND ALWAYS SOUND LOOSE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 12, 2010 · crash

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT AROUND 8:45 PM AND WHILE DRIVING THROUGH WINDY ROADS MY HEAD LIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY TURNED OFF WHICH CAUSED ME TO DRIVE STRAIGHT INTO A K-RAIL, BEING THAT THERE WERE NO STREET LIGHTS SO IT WAS PITCH BLACK OUT. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 18, 2013 · crash

FIRST THE ROOF BLEW OFF.THE COMMUNICATION MESSAGE CENTER GIVES MIS INFORMATION.THE CAR HAS ALWAYS MADE A GRINDING SOUND UNDER HOOD AT START UP.PROBLEMSM ACTIVATING EELECTRICAL STABILITY SYSTEM.ALSO AFTER ROOF REPAIR ROOF RATTLES AND ALWAYS SOUND LOOSE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 12, 2010 · crash

MY VEHICLE WITH 85,000 MILES BEGAN EMMITING A CONTINUOUS RAW GAS SMELL WHEN I REFILL THE FUEL TANK. SMELL IS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE, REAR, WHEEL WELL. SMELL IS INTENSE TO THE POINT I CANNOT STORE INSIDE THE GARAGE AS I FEAR A FIRE HAZARD AND A TOXIC SMELL IS COMING INTO MY HOUSE INTERIOR. SMELL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH THE SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND VEERED TO THE LEFT THROUGH TRAFFIC BEFORE HITTING A WALL. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 16, 2012 · crash

2006 Chevrolet Corvette — common questions

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 441 complaints put the 2006 model at #4 of 62 Corvette years. It is one of the Corvette years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Corvette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (90 complaints), body & structure (63 complaints), lighting (63 complaints).

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Corvette years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Corvette years to avoid are 2005, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2007, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2017, 2004, 1997, 2002, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2016, 2011, 2013, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2012, 1996, 2018, 1995, 2020, 1990. The cleanest record among Corvette years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.